Dr. Erkan Yağcı, President of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED), has evaluated the possible impact of the Gulf and Middle East conflict centered on Iran on Türkiye and its tourism industry.
Representatives of Türkiye’s tourism sector attended the 60th edition of the ITB Berlin Fair this year under the shadow of the attacks launched against Iran by the United States and Israel. The most important agenda item at the fair was the ongoing conflict in the region and the uncertainty surrounding how the situation might evolve.
Regional developments dominated the fair’s agenda
Speaking to Savaş Daş, News Director of Turizm Ekonomi, the sister portal of Türkiye Travel News, Yağcı said that the primary topic at ITB this year was the war in the region.
“Normally we attend ITB each year to discuss business and market conditions. However, at this year’s event the main focus was the conflicts taking place in the region. Participants at the fair concentrated on the potential effects of these clashes on the tourism sector, destinations, and markets,” he said.
Negative impact mainly felt in Gulf countries
Yağcı noted that the situation remains highly uncertain because the events are still very recent.
“At the moment, the negative effects are largely being experienced in the UAE and other Gulf countries. The closure of airspace and passengers being stranded in these countries have almost frozen tourism demand for the region,” he explained.
He added that a quick resolution appears unlikely. “There are still people who have not been able to return home. Even if airspace reopens, it will take time for the region to return to normal because a sense of anxiety has emerged among travelers.”
Türkiye managing the situation with balanced policy
Assessing the possible effects on Türkiye, Yağcı emphasized that the country has been handling the situation with a balanced approach.
“Türkiye is managing the situation with a more balanced policy. For this reason, we have not observed a negative perception toward our country. However, as we have seen in the past, such events inevitably create a psychological impact. Travelers may delay making reservations or adopt a wait-and-see approach,” he said.
According to Yağcı, when considering the Gulf countries, Egypt, the Middle East, and Southern Cyprus, Türkiye currently appears to be the least affected destination in the region. “There is no negative sentiment toward Türkiye, but that does not necessarily mean the environment is positive. Because of the uncertainty, many travelers are waiting before making decisions,” he added.
Turkish tourism resilient against crises
Yağcı also underlined that international developments in the region are complex and sensitive, involving many variables.
“Türkiye is a country that has experienced numerous crises over the years. Since 2015, we have faced a major shock roughly every two years. Therefore, our partners in key markets such as Germany and the UK know very well how experienced and flexible Türkiye’s tourism industry is when dealing with crises,” he said.
He stressed that the sector closely monitors developments and believes Türkiye has the capacity to manage such periods thanks to its strong tourism infrastructure, experienced public and private sectors, and diversified tourism products.
A safe, accessible and high-quality destination
Yağcı said that in times of uncertainty, Türkiye could stand out as a reliable tourism destination.
“When we look at tourism history, we see that crises are also periods when tourism flows are reshaped. Travelers tend to prefer destinations that are safe, accessible and offer high-quality services. Türkiye is in a very strong position in this regard,” he said.
Strong demand from diverse markets
Pointing to Türkiye’s tourism infrastructure and service quality, Yağcı said destinations such as Antalya, the Aegean coast, Istanbul, and many regions of Anatolia attract demand from different markets.
“Regardless of global developments, Türkiye will continue to be one of the strongest alternative destinations in tourism. The Turkish tourism sector has passed many important tests in the past. Even after the pandemic, which completely halted global tourism, we managed to recover rapidly. This clearly demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of our industry,” he noted.
Focus on revenue growth and qualified tourism
Concluding his remarks, Yağcı emphasized that Türkiye’s tourism strategy focuses not only on visitor numbers but also on increasing revenue and promoting higher-value tourism.
“Our efforts to attract tourists from diverse markets continue, and we are constantly diversifying our tourism products. In the coming period, global tourism flows will likely rebalance, and we believe Türkiye will maintain its strong position in this process. With its natural, cultural, and tourism assets, Türkiye will remain an important destination in world tourism,” he said.